“Hate evil, you who love the Lord” (Ps. 97:10 NASB).
HATRED OF EVIL
One evening many years ago, I was reading about the life of King David with our two youngest children, Julea and Andy. Andy liked to read about King David and was very interested in his life.
When we had finished reading that night, Andy asked about the next story in the book on David. I read the title of the next chapter, “A Good King Sins.” In a disappointed tone, Andy sadly said, “Oh, I didn’t want him to sin.”
Do you feel joy when you hear that a fellow Christian has sinned? Or do Andy’s sentiments—“Oh, I didn’t want him to sin”—more closely reflect your feelings? Think back to the last time you heard of a Christian’s falling or failing. How did you respond? Our response gives a glimpse into our heart. If we truly love the Lord, we will hate evil, whether it is our sin or the sin of another.
If we truly hate evil, how should we properly respond to news of sin? Three ideas come to mind, all starting with the letter G.
GRIEF: God’s kingdom is harmed by sin; sin should grieve our hearts, as it does the heart of God.
GENTLENESS: Galatians 6:1, “Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
GRACE: In a collection of Puritan prayers, Valley of Vision, one saint is quoted thus: “Help me to be a dispenser as well as a partaker of grace” (12).
May God deliver us from the warped idea that the sins of others somehow make us look better. All who name the name of Christ must also bear the shame when a fellow Christian sins. May our words reflect that sorrow and shame. May we never gloat.
When others fall, let us fall to our knees, for them.